Dionisio “Dennis” Chávez was the first Hispanic Senator in the USA and to be born in the state of New Mexico.
During his term as senator the State of New Mexico faced a great epidemic of influenza. The state fined citizens for sneezing and spitting. In a few months there were more than 5,000 deaths due to this cause. In addition many men from New Mexico participated in the First World War and were generally affected in all families. The citizens wanted to return to normal.
